Sphygmomanometry-Evoked Allodynia in Chronic Pain Patients With and Without Fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND:: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome that affects about 2% of the U.S. general population, with greater prevalence among women (3.5%) than men (0.5%). Previous research results suggest that the experience of pain (allodynia) upon sphygmomanometry may indicate the presence of fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study was to confirm these findings in patients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions and evaluate the use of sphygmomanometry as a potential screening tool for the identification of patients with fibromyalgia. METHODS:: A total of 150 people participated in this multicenter, cross-sectional observational study. The study included a physician-conducted evaluation to determine if the participant met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. The presence of sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia was assessed during a seated cuff pressure inflation that was repeated three times on each arm. Each site was provided a sphygmomanometer to ensure standardization, and the pressure of the cuff at the moment of pain initiation was recorded. If the patient did not indicate pain prior to 180 mmHg, then the inflation was stopped, a notation of no pain was made, and a cuff pressure of 180 mmHg was recorded. The mean of the six cuff pressure measurements was used for the analyses. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia and fibromyalgia. RESULTS:: The evaluable sample was 148 (one participant had too large an arm circumference for the sphygmomanometer and another did not receive the clinician evaluation of ACR-determined fibromyalgia diagnosis). Over half of the participants were determined to have an ACR diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Of these, 71 (91%) were women and had an average age of 54 years. Of the 70 participants with no fibromyalgia diagnosis, 42 (60%) were women and also had an average age of 54 years. Sixty-one (78%) of the fibromyalgia participants, compared with 25 (36%) of those with no fibromyalgia diagnosis, reported sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia. The participants with fibromyalgia reported pain ata lower cuff pressure compared with those without fibromyalgia (132 mmHg vs. 166 mmHg, p < .01). The logistic regression showed that sphygmomanometry-evoked allodynia predicted an ACR-determined FM diagnosis (χ = 19.4, p < .01). DISCUSSION:: These findings support previous research suggesting that patients who report pain upon sphygmomanometry may warrant further evaluation for the presence of fibromyalgia.     

Problems Associated with Studying Spatial Distribution of Plants Through Herbarium Anthology: A Case Study of Family Berberidaceae in North West Himalaya

Estimation of spatial plant distribution of a large area is very tedious and time consuming assignment. In this regard, herbaria of the world are supposed to be the excellent repositories of the plant collections for reference purpose. But many repositories of the world do not have the associated information of the collections and thus it becomes a muddle for future studies. The aim of this study is to know the extent of this mess. Therefore, spatial distribution of Berberidaceae members in NW Himalaya was studied through available herbarium data in three herbaria at Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Janaki Ammal Herbarium, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and Herbarium, Department of Botany, Punjabi University. It is observed that the collected specimens in aforesaid herbaria are correctly identified; but simultaneously, proper collection sites and collection dates are not mentioned for some specimens. Therefore, it is difficult to recollect the species. This is also revealed that India harbours 04 genera (Berberis, Epimedium, Mahonia and Nandina) and 22 species of the Berberidaceae, out of which 02 (Berberis and Mahonia) are reported from the NW Himalaya.     

Noma (cancrum oris) in the South African context

Noma (cancrum oris) is a destructive necrotising disease affecting orofacial tissues predominantly of malnourished young children. It is characterised by a rapid acute onset which usually starts in the mouth, spreads intra‐orally destroying soft tissue and bone and progresses to perforate the facial skin, causing disfigurement. Polybacterial anaerobic infection is critical too, but is not alone sufficient for the initiation of noma. Cofactors, first and foremost malnutrition, but also systemic viral and bacterial infections are crucial to the development of noma. A patient with necrotising stomatitis or noma must be admitted to hospital for antibiotic treatment, fluid and electrolytes as well as nutritional supplementation and general supportive treatment. The epidemiology of noma in the South African population is unknown, and the clinicopathological features are poorly characterised. Although worldwide there is no evidence that HIV infection is a strong risk factor for noma, HIV infection may play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of noma in South Africa.     

Physician accuracy in diagnosing colorectal polyps

Since the medical management of persons with adenomatous colorectal polyps differs from that of those with hyperplastic polyps, accuracy of diagnosis is essential. Although many physicians have grown confident that their skills of visual diagnosis are adequate, few data exist to support this confidence. In order to examine the accuracy of physicians' judgments regarding colorectal polyp histology, the visual diagnosis of physicians experienced in endoscopy was compared with the histologic report. Eighty-one polyps were discovered by flexible sigmoidoscopy among 718 participants in a colon cancer screening program. Eighty percent of all polyps were detected accurately. The diagnostic sensitivity of detecting adenomas was 69 percent, while specificity (accurate diagnosis of hyperplastic polyps) was 86 percent, and there were an additional eight false negative and eight false positive diagnoses. Further analyses revealed that there are individual patterns of diagnostic mistakes made by physicians and that mistakes frequently are related to polyp size. These findings are particularly important in light of the expanding numbers of relatively inexperienced primary care providers performing flexible sigmoidoscopy whose diagnoses may be strongly dependent on polyp size. This research was done through, and supported by, the Center for Occupational Health, Department of Family Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.     

An observational study of sun and heat protection during Canada Day outdoor celebration, 2003

Attendance at summer outdoor mass gatherings may lead to heat- and sun-related illness. The purposes of this study were: (1) to estimate the proportion of people in attendance at the 2003 Canada Day celebration in the National Capital Region who used sun and heat protective items; (2) to identify factors associated with the utilization of these protective items; and (3) to provide research data to public outdoor event organizers when developing evidence-based plans for safer events. A naturalistic observational cross-sectional method was used to gather information at the 2003 Canada Day celebration in the National Capital Region on attendees' demographics, the sun and heat protective items they used and the protective resources available at the event sites. Of the 398 observed attendees, the proportion using any one of the protective items ranged from 3 percent (an open umbrella) to 51.5 percent (sunglasses). Females were more likely to use protective items more than males, and adults more likely than children. Planners of public outdoor events should consider the factors that influence the utilization of sun and heat protective behaviours and the environmental modifications that would allow participants to make safe choices.